Monday morning in a community bank

[GON]

Needed to get a document notarized.

An internet search showed a few local notaries. First one I called didn’t answer, left a message but no return phone call. Next I went to Staples, which stated on the internet they offer notary services. Waited for the Staples to open to be told they no longer notarize.

Decided to try a community bank. Beautiful lobby, very peaceful setting. Asked the receptionist if I could get a document notarized. Receptionist said absolutely, have a seat and someone will be right with you.

One minute later , a customer service agent approaches me, said come to my desk. Two minutes later the document is notarized.

I asked who do I pay, notary stated no charge.

Great feeling being in this older lobby of a community bank. Bank was busy, but all customers were my age or older.

Days gone by…. But not completely.

By the way, the bank is First National Bank in Alamogordo , NM. Very big thumbs up in how they keep and run this bank.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Most banks will notorize your docs if your a customer - even Bank of (UN) America. They may require the notarization section to have the specific format required by your state, which is what you want anyway if you have any control over the document - which often you don't.

Glad you found one.

 

[PandaBear]

I typically just find a copy shop that does passport photo and they typically also do notarization. I didn't know Staple do, but so far most of them are so competitive here (everyone wants to start their own businesses and this one has no barrier to enter) they are only like $20 or so. A lot of those I see are former engineers or managers who, after losing their jobs or retires, have to find something to do like starting a business.

I see them spend more time taking passport photos than notarization.

 

[Zee09]

I can tell that bank doesn't offer competitive interest rates....

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I always did them for free when I ran a branch. Goodwill went a lot farther than the $20 charge.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I typically just find a copy shop that does passport photo and they typically also do notarization. I didn't know Staple do, but so far most of them are so competitive here (everyone wants to start their own businesses and this one has no barrier to enter) they are only like $20 or so. A lot of those I see are former engineers or managers who, after losing their jobs or retires, have to find something to do like starting a business.

I see them spend more time taking passport photos than notarization.

$20 for a notary!

 

[Zee09]

$20 for a notary!

Here its free or $5

 

[Leo99]

My wife is a notary and has been one for 40 years. She retired but brought her stamp and embosser home with her. It's valid for another 4 years. She said since she worked for a law firm, she didn't need to take a test, but if she wants to renew in 2030 she'll need to take a test and she's not taking any tests. LOL. Her law firm would notarize things for free if anyone walked in. They didn't advertise it, but it's good public relations.

 

[PandaBear]

$20 for a notary!

You do know the minimum wage here is $17 and my daughter's part time work gets paid $20 with absolutely no experience required right?

Urban legend has it $200k for a family of 4 qualifies you for affordable housing program in Palo Alto.

 

[PandaBear]

My wife is a notary and has been one for 40 years. She retired but brought her stamp and embosser home with her. It's valid for another 4 years. She said since she worked for a law firm, she didn't need to take a test, but if she wants to renew in 2030 she'll need to take a test and she's not taking any tests. LOL. Her law firm would notarize things for free if anyone walked in. They didn't advertise it, but it's good public relations.

For every 100 clients with free notary they may get a potential divorcee.

I can tell that bank doesn't offer competitive interest rates....

They are for convenience, not best deal.

 

[Zee09]

My wife is a notary and has been one for 40 years. She retired but brought her stamp and embosser home with her. It's valid for another 4 years. She said since she worked for a law firm, she didn't need to take a test, but if she wants to renew in 2030 she'll need to take a test and she's not taking any tests. LOL. Her law firm would notarize things for free if anyone walked in. They didn't advertise it, but it's good public relations.

Sort of like lowering the cost of Amsoil to the BITOG crowd during these times of uncertainty ....
@Pablo

 

[SC Maintenance]

You do know the minimum wage here is $17 and my daughter's part time work gets paid $20 with absolutely no experience required right?

Urban legend has it $200k for a family of 4 qualifies you for affordable housing program in Palo Alto.

Sure, the gas stations here all pay $15 to start, minimum or not. But the bank notarizes for free.

I have paid at the UPS store and I think it was $5, but that was years ago.

 

[ironman_gq]

A lot of Public Library's have a notary that'll stamp documents for the public.

 

[GON]

A lot of Public Library's have a notary that'll stamp documents for the public.

Good tip.

The issue with the local public library is they have limited hours for when they notarize. The local library doesn't begin notarizing services until after 10am.

 

[mrsilv04]

I can tell that bank doesn't offer competitive interest rates....

Their rates aren't fantastic, but they're not horrible either... 3.5% on a one year CD, $100 minimum.

 

[walterjay]

I paid $18.00 for a notary last week

 

[D60]

It'll be snatched up by TBK and then it will SUCK

 

[DCDG]

Needed to get a document notarized.

An internet search showed a few local notaries. First one I called didn’t answer, left a message but no return phone call. Next I went to Staples, which stated on the internet they offer notary services. Waited for the Staples to open to be told they no longer notarize.

Decided to try a community bank. Beautiful lobby, very peaceful setting. Asked the receptionist if I could get a document notarized. Receptionist said absolutely, have a seat and someone will be right with you.

One minute later , a customer service agent approaches me, said come to my desk. Two minutes later the document is notarized.

I asked who do I pay, notary stated no charge.

Great feeling being in this older lobby of a community bank. Bank was busy, but all customers were my age or older.

Days gone by…. But not completely.

By the way, the bank is First National Bank in Alamogordo , NM. Very big thumbs up in how they keep and run this bank.

View attachment 341740View attachment 341741

That is a pretty bank lobby. Banks I have dealt with always offered free notary to members, while some will charge $5 but many just say no charge being the employer (bank) usually pays for the bank employee to have their notary public credentials.

 

[GON]

That is a pretty bank lobby. Banks I have dealt with always offered free notary to members, while some will charge $5 but many just say no charge being the employer (bank) usually pays for the bank employee to have their notary public credentials.

I'm not a customer of the bank. I told the bank I wasn't a customer--- there reply to me was no issue---happy to serve.

Yes, the lobby was very nice. I limited the pictures and the angles of the pictures as I didn't want to cause an erroneous "alarm".

 

[Pablo]

Sort of like lowering the cost of Amsoil to the BITOG crowd during these times of uncertainty ....
@Pablo

Dead broke

Love whining about it to Whatcom Educational Credit Union right after I deposited a $250K check from some suspicious law suit I won on a scam loan.